Apple Headphones Review
Apple's wireless earbuds as well as over-ear headphones are sleek, comfortable and fit into the ecosystem seamlessly. The headphones come with a Lightning plug for iPhones and some models also have a 3.5mm connector for older devices.
AirPods Pro have a great sound for music and movies. They include cinematic spatial audio, a fancy virtual surround and more. They also have unique features such as instant pairing automatic switching, and "Hey Siri" voice activation.
Sound
Apple headphones usually provide great audio quality, and a majority of the models feature noise cancellation. Some of them are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods and others can be connected to your iPhone via the Lightning cable. There are adapters that allow you to connect your headphones using a standard headphone socket if you don't own an Lightning cable. Apple headphones are also affected by the audio codecs they use. Make sure to check the type of audio compatible with your.
Apple AAC is the codec that headphones use to come with iPhones. It's designed for Apple devices. The codec for audio has lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, making it good for listening to music or podcasts. The most reliable Apple headphones include at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which provides an even wider range than earlier versions of the technology.
If you're seeking a more immersive audio experience, think about headphones that have Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature simulates surround sound and offer a more rounded, immersive listening experience. However, you'll need to have an iOS device with iOS 14 or later to be able to use this feature.
Apple headphones are not just excellent for audio, but they also look stylish. Apple's EarPods are simple but good earbuds. They can fit in most pockets and provide excellent audio quality.
The Beats Studio3 headphones are more versatile than the EarPods and have closed-back designs that provide better noise isolation for commuting and sports. They can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods and are not comfortable enough to wear while running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and feature a heavier build. Despite these drawbacks, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our favorite headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, feature outstanding audio quality, and provide outstanding noise cancellation. They're high-end headphones that feature an audio engine that is premium and compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which offers advanced features.
Design
Apple headphones are no exception to the sleek design. Apple offers a range of headphones, including wired models that connect to the iPhone's headphone port and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but they usually sound better.
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the best-selling headphones in the world and deliver amazing audio quality and noise cancellation in a slim, compact package. The earbuds are long-lasting battery life and also feature Siri voice activation to allow hands-free use. The earbuds come with a case that charges and protects them when not in your ears.
The AirPods Pro track your movement, which can be useful when you're working out or running. The wireless headphones have the feature of spatial audio. It simulates surround sound while watching videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature is a bit disorienting however it's a great way to listen to movies and TV shows while on the go.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are another great option for audiophiles and people who wish to enjoy Apple Music playlists. These earbuds offer up to 22 hours with ANC, and 40 without. They use the Apple W1 chipset for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. The earbuds also come with an option to customize "Hey Siri" and tips for wing to ensure a secure fit when working out.
Apple and Google both offer headphones that are crafted to their respective ecosystems, but they each have their own strengths. For example, Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods however they have a longer battery life, and also come with a customizable app with graphic EQ settings.
While Apple's headphones are great for people who rely on the company's tech ecosystem, their controls aren't ideal for everyone else. The simple designs of the headphones by Apple don't always include robust features. They lack important functions in their truly wireless models. Siri is supposed to handle your music, not the volume control.
Connectivity
The proliferation of Bluetooth options and the disappearance from the most recent iPhones of the headphone jack is causing wired models to swiftly go the way of Dodo. If you prefer to listen with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide range of on-ear and over-the ear wired headphones that can be used with all Apple devices. It also offers a truly wireless pair of earbuds, the Momentum Free - that connect via an extremely low-power radio signal.
If you own a newer Mac make sure that your headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This standard provides greater audio quality and longer battery life as compared to older Bluetooth versions. Also, make sure to check the list of audio codecs to make sure that your music files playable.
Look for headphones that have a secure fit, no matter which type you choose. On-ear and over-ear models with an oversized headband offer a stable fit that is less likely to fall off during exercise. You need earbuds that fit comfortably, seal the ears, and provide good noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds.
The top wireless headphones include the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. AirPods have a sleek design and an excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing that has earned them a top rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model but feature new design, better noise cancellation, and a long battery life.
The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest model in the Bose quiet comfort line, which offers noise cancellation, long battery life and a comfy size in a compact, portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, bringing support for the new AAC audio codec, as well as a new wireless connection protocol that permits higher Bluetooth speeds and reduced latency.
If your headphones are unable to connect to your Mac try setting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Click on the headphones you want to use from the list. next to their name. You may have to put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding the pairing button until you see the status light.
Value
If you think them worth $549 is up to you, but in the end the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The intelligent features such as auto-pause and transparency mode are extremely practical, and the sound quality is sublime. headphone shopping are also incredibly well built which isn't the usual case with wireless headphones.
Of course, that sort of high-end functionality comes with an expense and for many the AirPods are too expensive. However, the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already very invested in the Apple ecosystem. The AirPods Pro utilize the same H1 chipset found in the iPhone's latest generations of speakers to analyze the sound coming from the eight microphones that are placed between the earcups. The headphones can now adjust the sound of the music to suit your head and block out outside noise in real time. Apple claims that it can adjust the volume of your music every second this is an amazing number. The result is a pair headphones that are truly immersive with cinematic clarity and depth that is unmatched. Even the most mundane tracks such as electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album become hugely intense and dramatic with the AirPods Pro.
Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were released. They're available today, but they do not have a mic. They're not as impressive as the latest AirPods, but they're still great for commuting or exercising on a treadmill, and come with great battery longevity and a comfortable fit.
Apple purchased Beats the original line in 2014. They've remained mostly identical, except that they now come with an USB-C charger as well as a W1 chip. It's expected that the company will eventually cease production of the brand, though collaborations with artists and the occasional upgrade like the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the H1 chip that is more recent could keep them relevant for a while.